Sustainable agriculture and agro-processing

1. Watershed Development:

Watershed Development Management (WDM) Programme has given PDS new enlightenment. The Society holds the distinction of introducing the concept in this part of the country in early 90’s with the help of EEC. The years that followed saw PDS becoming an authentic body in watershed management and related activities. As far as WDM is concerned, the Society assumes the roles of promoter, programme implementing agency, support voluntary organization and resource centre. It is one of the Support Voluntary Organizations (SVO) of Council for Advancement of People’s Action and Rural Technology (CAPART) for the promotion of its watershed development programme in the South Indian States of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and the Union Territory of Pondichery. These programmes have produced great impacts in the conservation of land, water and biomass.

2. Organic Farming:

Our pioneering efforts in promoting organic farming have given a new life to the agriculture sector. It has not just confined at theoretical level, but went deep down applying research and technology options. The expertise of PDS in the organic farming is increasingly demanded upon from far and near. Within a short span of time the Society could organize thousands of organic farmers. In the areas of vermiculture and vermicompost the Society has covered a large distance through research oriented experiments as well as propagation/ multiplication mission. The Society’s initiative in organic farming may be also seen as a counter movement against degenerative and unaffordable chemical applications and the neo-colonialisation trait set in by the multinationals in rural agriculture.

3. Bio Manure:

PDS has a Research & Develop¬ment Wing in bio -manure. This centre is engaged in developing new processes and methodologies of producing bio -manure. It also provides training, consulting and demonstration classes for farmers, agriculture students and NGOs. The unit produces vermicom¬post, different bio -pesticides and related products. Eiseniafoetida and Eudriluseugeniae are the two types of earth worms used for the production of vermicompost. Dur¬ing the reporting period, 45 tonnes of vermicompost, 2.5 tonnes of vermifert, and 625 litres of vermi¬wash were sold to the farmers.

4. Seed Bank:

Non availability of quality seedlings is a major hurdle for undertaking vegetable cultivation by the house¬holds in the region. In order to address this issue PDS, in collaboration with Karl KubelStiffung and BMZ, Germanay, has established a seed bank on its premises. The major objective of this venture is to popularise indigenous varieties of food crops includ¬ing tubers and vegetables. Seedlings of local varieties of vegetables and tubers collected from farmers are available in the seed bank.

5. Tea Factory:

A state of the art modern tea factory has been set up incorporating the latest machinery and technical know-how to produce the best tea. The Society has already started exporting tea to various countries

6. Spices Factory:

The factory is dedicated to processing of 100% organic products only and as of now it is the only one of this scale in the country. It has a capacity to process 1MT black pepper an hour. There are separate stores for raw materials, finished goods, packing materials, tools and implements etc. The factory is certified as per ISO 22000 : 2005 FSMS by Bureau Veritas Certifications (India) Pvt. Ltd. For details visit the web site PDS Oraganic Spices